Home efficiency pilot expands

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has welcomed the SNP Scottish Government’s extension of their home energy efficiency programme to the Stirling area.

More homeowners will be able to carry out energy efficiency work and improvements on their properties as a pilot scheme expands.

The Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland scheme lets homeowners on low incomes borrow up to £40,000 for energy efficiency improvements and essential repairs, including the installation of a new boiler, double glazing or repairs to reduce heat loss – which will be repaid when they sell their home or transfer ownership.

The scheme was launched in January last year in three council areas (Glasgow City, Argyll and Bute, and Perth and Kinross) and has now been extended to include Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Dundee and the Western Isles until March 2019.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:“This is great news. Most of us do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint, but often the biggest offender can be how energy efficient your home is – particularly when it comes to heating. However, alterations to improve efficiency can be costly so borrowing up to £40,000 for improvements and repairs is a real shot in the arm for people on lower incomes.

“Home owners in the Stirling Constituency who wish to enquire about the equity loans should contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.”